Maybe they shouldn’t have allowed Kim Kardashian to wear that iconic Marilyn Monroe dress after all because allegedly it sustained some damage after she wore it to the 2022 Met Gala.
The famous crystal covered dress worn by Monroe when she sang “Happy Birthday Mr. President” to President Kennedy in 1962 was on loan from the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Museum. The gown is valued at over $10 million.
Reportedly Kim lost 16 pounds in order to fit into the dress, and security guards accompanied her as she wore it only at the entrance to the event. Page Six reports she changed into a replica of the gown for the remainder of the event.
Before and after photos side by side on Twitter show some of the crystals missing and some tearing. Scott Fortner of The Marilyn Monroe Collection who collects personal items once owned by the star has posted photos of the dress and its poor condition after it was worn by Kardashian, He wrote, "So much for keeping 'the integrity of the dress and the preservation.' @ripleysbelieveitornot, was it worth it?"
In a statement written after the gala, the museum said, “This was no easy decision for Ripley’s, however, Kim Kardashian has continued to show the utmost respect for this opportunity and historic garment. From extensive research to following guidelines such as no body makeup, only wearing the dress for the short red-carpet appearance, and making absolutely no alterations, she has become a steward — and added to — its history.” The museum originally claimed there was “no damage” to the gown after being worn at the gala.
An historical garment like that is probably something that should be kept on display in the museum and never worn again.
Source: Page Six
Photo: Getty Images